1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

OPERATIONS AND GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT 171
tors, are they?" So the absence of prophets and
inspired apostles today, and with that the absence
of miraculous gifts of the spirit, does not prove
that today's faithful remnant is not of Christ's
body.-1 Corinthians 12 :27-30, NW .
11
The Christian congregation is not weaker today
than in the first century because of not enjoying
the miraculous gifts now . It does not need them
now at this time of its coming to full growth . It is
anointed with the same spirit to preach now as
nineteen centuries ago, and it is just as full of
the spirit . By this means it is performing a more
powerful witness to God's kingdom now than ever
before in its history . "Not by might, nor by
power, but by my spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts ."
echariah 4 :6, ASV By his "spirit of the truth"
the meaning of the Scriptures and their prophecies
is being opened up to our understanding as
never before, making us strong in knowledge and
understanding and in ability to preach the Kingdom
message . Moreover, being filled now with the
spirit, we can bring forth just as abundantly the
fruitage of the spirit . It is by this fruitage rather
than by the miraculous gifts of the spirit that we
prove we are the same Christian congregation as
in the first century, members of the same "body
of Christ" . It is by cultivating and bringing forth
this fruitage that we walk in the "surpassing
way", that of love .
11 . What proves us not weaker today because of lacking
such gifts?